Tim Mailloux
REGISTERED
Looking at a stand-alone covered parking structure for a utility company to shelter their service trucks, which will be approximately 17,000 square feet in size. Essentially, it's some steel columns and a roof, open on all sides. In my opinion, it closely resembles a carport, but I am getting hung up on the wording of 406.3.1.
406.3.1 Classification:
Private garages and carports shall be classified as Group U occupancies. Each private garage shall be not greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) in area. Multiple private garages are permitted in a building where each private garage is separated from the other private garages by 1-hour fire barriers in accordance with Section 707, or 1-hour horizontal assemblies in accordance with Section 711, or both.
Based on how Section 406.3 is structured, I believe that private garages and carports are considered distinct categories in the eyes of the code. The first sentence of Section 406.3.1 clearly states that private garages AND carports are both classified as Group U occupancies. However, the following sentence mentions that each private garage shall not be greater than 1,000 square feet, with no reference to carports. This leads me to believe that carports are not subject to the same 1,000 square foot limitation as private garages.
I am seeking clarification on whether my interpretation is correct or if there are any additional considerations I need to be aware of. Your insights and expertise on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
406.3.1 Classification:
Private garages and carports shall be classified as Group U occupancies. Each private garage shall be not greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) in area. Multiple private garages are permitted in a building where each private garage is separated from the other private garages by 1-hour fire barriers in accordance with Section 707, or 1-hour horizontal assemblies in accordance with Section 711, or both.
Based on how Section 406.3 is structured, I believe that private garages and carports are considered distinct categories in the eyes of the code. The first sentence of Section 406.3.1 clearly states that private garages AND carports are both classified as Group U occupancies. However, the following sentence mentions that each private garage shall not be greater than 1,000 square feet, with no reference to carports. This leads me to believe that carports are not subject to the same 1,000 square foot limitation as private garages.
I am seeking clarification on whether my interpretation is correct or if there are any additional considerations I need to be aware of. Your insights and expertise on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
